Raj and Jeet, have grown up together during school days, moving apart as life changed its course. Years later, the two accidentally meet. Jeet is the successful corporate with a trophy wife and big car, Raj is a carefree soul, still finding his foothold as a struggling rockstar. One is stifled by all the success, the other doesn't even know what is success. What happens when their lives are swapped?

It's a blessing that not all Tolly actors decide to get their six packs or stand on cliffs with outstretched hands singing. That's why we still have a Rudranil, or a Parambrata and a film like Hawa Bodol. The story line, for starters is nothing absolutely out of the box. There's some similarity with the Rob Schneider starrer The Hot Chick, and ofcourse Suborno Golok. But what a brilliant job Anindya Bose has done with the script and how Param has used it to a hilt is to be seen to be believed. The film starts with a typically urban couple where the advances of the husband are turned down by a very hot but albeit tired wife. As the glass of water in Jeet's (Parambrata) hand transforms to that of a whisky glass in Raj's (Rudranil) hand, the laughter riot starts. We have heard many a pick up line in films. But Rudra's nonchalant "Gypsyder music shunbe?" to a girl in the discotheque is simply out of the world. When the two friends meet, Rudra's battered Maruti 800 with a BMW sticker, and Parambrata's shiny new Honda, immediately make their social standing evident. During their first meet, Rudra comes across a little too flamboyant and Param is a bit mellow. However, when Rudra ends up saying, "amra nangto boyesher bandhu', in front of his sophisticated friend's wife and Param has a violent start, we don't think they were acting. The two could just be like that.

Imagine the two friends buying booze after shops have closed, and getting drunk and creating a racket followed by a typically angry gentleman on the balcony. Something we have all done or seen in our lives. But with Rudra retorting to the man, "AmiDharmendraare o Amitav," that's where the film clicks. It's the little nuances that we can all connect to, paired with a brilliant script and absolutely spontaneous acting that has us in splits. Rudra is just natural as a struggling rockstar who is happy within his comfort zone, but is also in a secret denial that he has failed somewhere. Be it his casual swagger, spontaneous usage of Bengali cuss words or a very irritating pony tail, he plays Raj to the hilt. Imagine him accompanying Param to an upper echelon party armed with a teddy bear for the birthday girl. "Eta holo bhombol," yes that's what he calls the teddy and yes there's nobody in T town who could have done it. And Param, subdued by a dominating but loving wife, secretly yearning a footloose and fancy-free life is also a treat to watch. His twinkling eyes and impish grin at the prospect of a drink with an old pal, or his absolute embarrassment with an old friend he is fond of, are simply brilliant. While the two are good as themselves, once they step in each other's shoes, they simply outdo each other. Param takes on this typical cocking of head, walking with a simply 'Rudra' swagger and mannerisms of the hand, that really makes us feel its the other man trapped in his body. The two might have been friends for 11 years in real life, but it does take a good actor to bring your best friend alive on screen. When a previously sober and well mannered Parambrata bangs his car and shouts, "Mathai ki ache? Anacondar .....sh?" after becoming Rudra, there's no way to stop ourselves from choking to death. Rudra too has done his best as the calm and composed version that he becomes after the swap. Be it the restrained diligence with which he cleans his room, or his emphasizing to his band members why they shouldn't resort to substance abuse, he brings the confidence of a typical corporate honcho (Parambrata) and skills of handling people to new heights. The script takes a typical turn in the second half with the two getting frustrated living each other's lives and end up doing a lot of good as well. However, the laughter riot in the end more than makes up for it. Raima as the sophisticated but uptight wife married to an 'overgrown manchild' is convincing. However the script didn't leave much room for her. But the silent resentment in her eyes when approached by a drunk Rudra, or a half smile of appreciation watching Param teach their son, speaks volumes about the actress that she is. And honestly with eyes like hers, we really don't care either ways. Their son Tojo ( Kabir) is a quintessential 'pakabacha', aptly christened 'Voice of America' for his anglicized accent by Rudra. Be it his heart melting smile, or his simple 'bang, bang, bang' we just loved him.

Neha has a strong possibility of getting typecast in similar roles. She is good as the lonely daughter of a rich man, and carelessly carefree when she says, "I smoke hash, drink and sleep with older men." However, a word of caution, she needs to work on her diction, and also emote more if she wants to do better. Indraadip has done a brilliant job with the music, and Bhober sagare by Arijit Singh is really soul stirring. A few pointers in an otherwise good film. When the two buy booze from a bootlegger mashi, Param pays Rs 200 for two small bottles of whisky and mineral waters. Since he has paid attention to small details, Parambrata should not have overlooked this little fallacy. Also, when the two friends drink in their car, bang in the middle of Esplanade, we first see a police van passing in the background, inadvertently in the frame. The two then notice a police van nearby while reliving themselves on the road. Trust us, Kolkata police is not all that nice, specially at nights, specially with people drinking. And a small advise, that particular part of the road, where the two simply love to relieve themselves, is used by journalists of all shapes and sizes to cross over to the Press Club. With so much stress, tears and unhappiness all around, a film we strongly recommend.

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